The date of King Charles III’s Coronation has been confirmed. His Majesty will be crowned, alongside Queen Camilla, on May 6th 2023 at Westminster Abbey.
The date will also be the anniversary of the accession of the first King of the House of Windsor, George V. George famously changed the name of his royal dynasty at the height of World War One. His decision led to the creation of one of the most famous royal houses in history.
As Charles III’s Coronation preparations get well and truly under way, we look back at the days the other Monarchs of the House of Windsor were crowned.
George V – June 22 1911
George V was crowned on June 22 1911 but he wasn’t yet head of the House of Windsor. At the time of his accession, his royal dynasty was known as Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, a change brought about by George’s father, Edward VII, whose father, Prince Albert, had belonged to that house. George swapped that for Windsor in 1917 as World War One raged.
His own Coronation had taken place at Westminster Abbey with his consort, Queen Mary, crowned alongside him. The then Archbishop of Canterbury, Randall Davidson, crowned both King and Queen.
George VI – May 12 1937
The second King of the House of Windsor, Edward VIII, was never crowned but the date long planned for his Coronation still saw the spectacular ceremony take place. Everything had been set for Edward to be crowned on May 12 1937 after he became King on January 20 1936 on the death of George V. However, his decision to abdicate in December 1936, to marry Wallis Simpson, saw the throne pass to his brother, Albert.
The new King George VI decided to stick with his brother’s Coronation date and was crowned alongside his consort, Queen Elizabeth, on May 12 1937 at Westminster Abbey by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Lang. Watching was George and Elizabeth’s elder daughter, Elizabeth, heir to the throne.
Elizabeth II – June 2 1953
The longest reigning Monarch in British history was crowned on June 2 1953 in a ceremony that brought millions to London. Extensive research had gone into finding a date when the weather was likely to be glorious for this spectacular event. In the end, the date chosen proved to be one of the wettest of the year but nothing dampened the spirits of a crowd set for a celebration.
Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher. For the first time, millions outside the Abbey could also enjoy the ancient ceremony as it was broadcast on television for the first time.
Charles III – May 6 2023
King Charles III will be crowned on May 6 2023 at Westminster Abbey, alongside Queen Camilla, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
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